The Maligned Marine: the Mercy and Justice Mysteries, #2 by J. R. Mathis & Susan Mathis

Author:J. R. Mathis & Susan Mathis
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mercy and Justice Mysteries
Published: 2022-03-08T00:00:00+00:00

Sixteen: Tom

Sunday is what passes for normal for us. Dan attended the Saturday Vigil Mass, so that means Helen is able to greet parishioners with me after both masses. She attends the 10:30 a.m. Mass. After the Mass, we greet parishioners as they leave. There are several compliments on the green chasuble Helen made me for a wedding gift.

Regretfully, this is the last Sunday I can wear it for a while. Ash Wednesday is this week, beginning the forty days of Lent.

“Well,” I say to Helen, “this Lent will be much different than last year.”

“You mean because you won’t be under suspicion of murder?” she says with a smile. “Lent is forty days. I wouldn’t count your chickens before they’re hatched.”

“Oh, stop!” I say as she breaks out laughing. “You know what I mean.”

“I do,” she whispers. “Thank God!”

“Amen,” I say.

Miriam walks up with a sleeping Helen Joan, her older daughter Catherine and her boys right behind her. “Good morning, Father Tom, Helen,” Miriam says with a smile.

“Good morning,” I say.

“Was that my precious goddaughter I heard during the elevation?” Helen says, looking down at the little bundle and waving her fingers.

“Yes,” Miriam says with a frown. She cuts her eyes at one of the twins–I think it’s Max, but it could be JP–and adds, “someone decided to pinch her.”

“I said I was sorry!” the offending twin says.

“You will be when Dad gets home.”

“That won’t be for a while, right? Miss Helen, he’s working today?”

“Yes, JP,” Helen says–I guess she can tell them apart–”but I’m going to the station this afternoon. Your Dad will be home by about 1 p.m.”

JP swallows and turns pale. “Father Tom, can I claim sanctuary?” he asks, a touch of panic in his voice.

I shake my head. “Sorry, JP. You’re just going to have to face your father.”

“Hey, Cathy!” Daniel Wright yells as he runs up. “You want to go play?”

Catherine looks up at Miriam. “Can I go play with Danny?” she asks.

“I’m sorry, Catherine, we need to get going.”

Catherine frowns at this unwelcome news. “Sorry, Danny. Maybe you can come by after lunch?”

“I’ll ask my mom,” he says. “I’m sure it will be OK.”

“Mom, can Danny come over?” Catherine asks.

Miriam glances at us, then back at her daughter. “Certainly. Daniel, tell your mom you’re even welcome to join us for lunch.”

“Really!” the two youngsters say in unison. “Come on, Cathy,” Daniel says, “let’s go ask my mom.”

They run off together. Helen says to Miriam, “She calls him Danny? That’s a big change from poopyhead.”

I roll my eyes and look around to make sure no one heard her. “Yeah,” Miriam laughs. “Dan’s beside himself. Says you cannot trust anyone named Daniel.”

Helen and I just stare at Miriam. Reading our minds, she says, “I know. When he said that to me, I just looked at him and said ‘Yeah, I know.’”

We laugh and exchange good-byes. Miriam goes to collect Catherine, the twins and Andrew following behind her.

“Well, I think everyone’s left,” I say. “You’re off to the station?”

“After lunch,” Helen says.

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